Tag Archives: strength training

Deal of the Week: Raise Your Game

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I don’t normally post anything here on weekends because everyone is out at the field, not on the computer reading softball articles, but this is a time sensitive announcement (I’ll explain more later) that I don’t want you to miss out on.

It’s not like I have a “Deal of the Week” every week, but I heard about this one and had to tell you about it TODAY.  Like I said, I’ll explain why later.  Anyway, the thing is Marc over at Softball Performance is having a Crazy Super Softball Sale.

I’m not going to bore you with a lot of hype.  I’m just going to tell you what you get and why I had to tell you today.

What You Get

In a nutshell, you’re getting 12 of Marc’s Hot, Brand New, Cutting-Edge, Never-Released Before Products at 77% off including:

BreakThrough Speed and Agility for Softball System
 FORMAT: Streaming Video

The Breakthrough Speed and Agility System for Softball was created for those who are serious about taking their game to the next level by improving their speed, agility, and quickness.

In this 11-part video training system, you’ll learn the secrets, advanced drills and exercises to explode out of the batter’s box, get better jumps, steal more bases, get to the ball more quickly, and get more of those “oh-so-close” balls.

$47 Value

Bat Speed and Hitting Power System
 FORMAT: Streaming Video

The Bat Speed and Hitting Power System was created for those who are serious about taking their hitting to the next level and want to increase their dominance at the plate.

In this 9-part video training system, you’ll discover the secrets for generating greater bat speed and hitting power along with advanced drills and exercises to help you swing the bat harder and hit the ball further.

$47 Value

Psychology of Phenomenal Hitting System
 FORMAT: Streaming Video

The Psychology of Phenomenal Hitting System was created for those who are serious about becoming dominant hitters and want to develop a winning mindset and master the mental of hitting.

In this 9-part video training system, you’ll discover the secrets to literally take control of the batter’s box, develop unstoppable confidence and incredible mental toughness to become a phenomenal hitter.

$37 Value

Psychology of Dominant Pitching
FORMAT: Streaming Video

The Psychology of Dominant Pitching was created for those who are serious about developing a winning mindset and the mental tools of a dominant pitcher.

In this 4-part video training, you’ll discover the secrets to literally take control of the game, develop unstoppable confidence and incredible mental toughness to become a dominant pitcher.

$27 Value

Arm Strength and Throwing Power System
FORMAT: Streaming Video

The Arm Strength and Throwing Power System was created for those who are serious about taking their game to the next level by improving their arm strength and throwing power.

In this 12-part video training, you’ll discover the secrets, techniques, advanced drills and exercises to help you throw harder and farther.

$47 Value

High-Performance Baserunning for Softball
FORMAT: Streaming Video

This 6-part video training will teach you how to be a greater offensive threat, get out of the batter’s more quickly, get better jumps, steal more bases, smarter on the bases, and score a lot more runs.

$27 Value

Speed Ladder Drills for Softball
FORMAT: Streaming Video

The speed ladder is one of the best tool softball players and teams can use to quickly and easily improve speed, agility and quickness – It’s fun, super effective, and can be done anywhere.

In this 2-part video training, I walk you through innovative and highly effective speed ladder drills to help you get quicker and faster.

$27 Value

Dynamic Warm-Up for Softball System
FORMAT: Streaming Video

In the not too distant past, players and teams would warm-up by using static stretching – which doesn’t prevent injuries and even decreases performance. Today, we use more dynamic techniques to warm-up.

In this 2-part video training, I take you through my high-performance, softball-specific dynamic warm-up protocol.

$47 Value

Softball Playground Workout
FORMAT: Streaming Video

No time to workout? No money? No equipment? If so, I’ve got the perfect solution for you – a playground workout! It can be done quickly, it’s free, it requires no equipment and there are playgrounds everywhere!

In this 3-part video training, you’ll discover how you can get stronger, faster, and more powerful using innovative, yet simple exercises that you can do in minutes at your local playground!

$27 Value

How To Perform Your Best At Your Next Tryouts System
 FORMAT: Streaming Audio and Instant Access PDF Reports

Most players fail to deliver their best performance when trying out and leave a bad impression with the coaches either because they choke under pressure, aren’t well-prepared and/or don’t really know what to expect.

This system will give you all the tools you need to deliver your absolute best performance, make a lasting impression, and double your chances of being selected!

$37 Value

Static Stretching for Softball
FORMAT: Streaming Video and Instant Access PDF Reports

Flexibility training is important for softball. It helps improve performance and prevent injuries.

Flexibility training should be done after workouts, practices, and/or games.

In this 2-part video training, I show you how to use effective static stretches for softball and commonly tight areas.

$27 Value

How to Deal with Frustrating Injuries
FORMAT: Streaming Audio

Injuries are a sad reality of sports and they can be very frustrating. When softball players get injured and can’t play for a while, they may get very frustrated and have a hard coping with their injuries.

In this audio coaching program, you’ll from learn how to deal with frustrating injuries and come back stronger than ever.

$27 Value

Bat Speed and Hitting Power System
 FORMAT: Streaming Video

The Bat Speed and Hitting Power System was created for those who are serious about taking their hitting to the next level and want to increase their dominance at the plate.

In this 9-part video training system, you’ll discover the secrets for generating greater bat speed and hitting power along with advanced drills and exercises to help you swing the bat harder and hit the ball further.

$47 Value

Psychology of Phenomenal Hitting System
 FORMAT: Streaming Video

The Psychology of Phenomenal Hitting System was created for those who are serious about becoming dominant hitters and want to develop a winning mindset and master the mental of hitting.

In this 9-part video training system, you’ll discover the secrets to literally take control of the batter’s box, develop unstoppable confidence and incredible mental toughness to become a phenomenal hitter.

$37 Value

Psychology of Dominant Pitching
FORMAT: Streaming Video

The Psychology of Dominant Pitching was created for those who are serious about developing a winning mindset and the mental tools of a dominant pitcher.

In this 4-part video training, you’ll discover the secrets to literally take control of the game, develop unstoppable confidence and incredible mental toughness to become a dominant pitcher.

$27 Value

Arm Strength and Throwing Power System
FORMAT: Streaming Video

The Arm Strength and Throwing Power System was created for those who are serious about taking their game to the next level by improving their arm strength and throwing power.

In this 12-part video training, you’ll discover the secrets, techniques, advanced drills and exercises to help you throw harder and farther.

$47 Value

High-Performance Baserunning for Softball
FORMAT: Streaming Video

This 6-part video training will teach you how to be a greater offensive threat, get out of the batter’s more quickly, get better jumps, steal more bases, smarter on the bases, and score a lot more runs.

$27 Value

Speed Ladder Drills for Softball
FORMAT: Streaming Video

The speed ladder is one of the best tool softball players and teams can use to quickly and easily improve speed, agility and quickness – It’s fun, super effective, and can be done anywhere.

In this 2-part video training, I walk you through innovative and highly effective speed ladder drills to help you get quicker and faster.

$27 Value

Yeah, that’s a lot of stuff!

Why I Had to Tell You Today

Marc is only giving all these products at the Super Softball Sale Price to 200 people.  His rules, not mine.  I know, that may sound like a lot, but I got an e-mail from Marc on Saturday letting me know that he’s more than half way through is “sale” inventory.  That’s right, over 100 people have already grabbed this packed bundle of softball peak performance goodies.  If you want to take advantage of this limited offer, Click Here before it’s gone.

VIDEO: Had to Try These Pushups

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So, not long ago, Coach Dan of BaseballStrength.com posted a video of these pushups on his blog.  I showed it to my daughter and husband and they just had to try it.  Like Coach Dan said, these are core, shoulders, and hips all in one push-up.  Nuts!

Of course, we didn’t have time until after we had done all our running around on this crazy hectic day, so the lighting isn’t the best, but here’s their first try at these crazy pushups, plus some other family fun push-up stuff.

Before this year I had no idea so many different kinds of push-ups existed.  These are one of the coolest I’ve seen (not the ones with multiple people…the ones shown with just one person in the picture).

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlHex_CK9xU

Too Much!

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When it rains it pours right?  There have been so many great specials available recently that I’m beginning to lose track.  I can’t choose just ONE to share with you because they all address different issues.  Soooooo…chose the ONE that best addresses an issue you are dealing with or need help with right NOW.

Here they are in no particular order – all the specials that are ending soon

1.  Fastpitch Assistant at 41% off: get 6 months of weekly practice tips and ideas to make planning practice easier on you!  CLICK HERE to save big before the special ends tomorrow.

2.  Free Mental Game Help: Dr. Tom Hanson is GIVING you a number of awesome resources sharing success secrets of the best in the game of baseball.  Plus he’s answering some of the most pressing questions real players, parent, and coaches have about the mental game.  Learn more HERE.

3.  Workouts for Baseball/Softball: Brand new workout DVD from Coach Dan of BaseballStrength.com and you get it for “Shipping Only.” No additional costs for the workout DVD that will help you easily incorporate an effective fitness/training component to your practices or training routine.  Limited number of DVDs available, so get yours today.

4.  New Workout Video for Softball Pitchers: learn from the pros and use the exact exercises they are using to get same day results.  Barry Lovelace (the King of Core) got together some of the softball players he trains and he is going to show you the exercises they use to increase strength and pitching speed…all for just $9.  Obviously that’s a great deal that won’t last long.  Get your pitching workout HERE.

5.  Coming Soon: I think I heard Marc Dagenais mention that he’s going to be doing this personalized programs again.  I don’t have the details yet, but will let you know if and when that is available.

Whew!  That’s a lot of stuff, but it’s likely that there’s only ONE that you “really” need right now (and will put to use immediately if you get it).  Don’t go all crazy just because you can’t resist a good deal.  Just get the one program or resource that is going to help you the most right now. IF there is more than one that will help you immediately, then go for it, but I don’t want to see you spending money on something you’ll never use.  If you want the most for your dollar and you KNOW you will need/use it – then by all means, take advantage of these deals before they’re gone.

Hope you had a lovely weekend!

Learn from the Pros: Pitching Workout

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pitcherIf you’re reading this blog post over this Labor Day weekend then, you’ll get a deal others won’t.  I just found out that Barry Lovelace (the King of Core and creator of the infamous Core Power for Baseball/Softball) just completed a pitching workout video with a couple of pro softball players.  Basicilly, he’s going to show you some of the exact exercises he does with these professional softball pitchers when he trains them.  Not only do these exercises help keep these players in great softball shape, one of them swears she felt the difference in her pitching after the FIRST session! The cool thing, this pitching workout video isn’t going to cost you $29.99 or even anything close to that.  Actually, Barry’s letting you pick up this new workout, for just $9 (but only ’till Tuesday).

Crazy guy only told me at the last minute that he’s offering this brand new workout video for fastpitch softball pitchers at just $9 until Tuesday!  Ummmm, doesn’t he know that softball people are usually BUSY over the weekend and no one checks e-mail or reads blogs (especially on a holiday weekend)?  So no one is really going to know about this, except you, since you ARE here still looking for ways to improve your game over a holiday weekend.  That’s the kind of dedication it takes to be the best.  So, for you, since you’re here when most people are out cruisin’ on the weekend, you WILL get the chance to grab this new workout for fastpitch softball pitchers before the special introductory price ends.  Get it HERE.

College Players Are Using P90X

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p90xlogo_low_resSo I’ve heard that some strength coaches utilize P90X exercises in training athletes. I’ve even know some high school players using the P90X program as training to get themselves closer to DI fitness. However, I was still a bit surprised when I recently saw a few status updates on Facebook by DI college players saying that they are/will be using this program to stay in tip top during this off season.

Now, I have to say, I’ve never done the P90X program and I’ve never even really seen all the workouts included in the program so I can’t personally recommend it at this time. However, one day when I was working out using some of the exercises from Barry’s Core Power programs, I had someone ask me if all the stuff I do is from P90X.  So I do know that there is some overlap.

I definitely wouldn’t recommend the workout to everybody because it is an “extreme” program (thus the name).  However, if you are in good shape and do want to train like some college players are training, you may be interested in learning more about it.  Definitely do your research before you try anything.  All I know right now is…

1. Some of my family members tried it and loved it (and they weren’t even “elite” athletes) and

2.  There ARE college players out there who are using it

Of course, price wise, P90X is not cheap.  Barry’s Core Power program is certainly less costly and I think, for younger age levels especially, I would simply go with that. I don’t think it’s necessary to spend huge dollars on a workout program at the 10U/12U age level.  Even if you are at a more elite level remember that Barry does also work with a few NPF players, so it’s not as if his programs are only for beginners.  I also have personal experience with Barry’s Core Power workouts and I do think they are awesome!

But if you’re looking for more training ideas (so training doesn’t get boring) or a more “extreme” challenge, I’ll be checking out P90X soon.  I’ll let you know what I think after I’ve had a chance to see it in action myself.

If you’ve had experience with P90X what do you think of it as a training program for softball players?

How to Get Softball Fit Fast

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As you know the season is right around the corner (unless your season runs in the fall, but this is still good information for you). Many coaches and parents are writing in asking me what they can do to shape up in just a few weeks time. What can you do over the course of just a few weeks to get into better softball shape for the season?

Well, I’m going address that exact issue on a free call next week Wednesday, January 21st.

We’re also going to discuss:

  • Is it useful/practical/harmful to continue this type of training during the season?
  • Is it worth it to do softball conditioning with 10-12U players?
  • Is it safe for kids to lift weights?
  • If a player/team does not have access to a weight room, does this mean they can’t do strength work?
  • If I don’t really have a pre-season “conditioning” period, how can I integrate conditioning right into my practices?
  • And of course, what can I do to get into the best softball shape possible if all I have is a few weeks?

The only thing is, I can only reserve 96 spots for this call. So if you’d like to be there, go ahead and register HERE.

It’s possible that we’ll run out of lines for the live call, so I am only giving out the call information (the number to call and the access code to join us live) to those who register now. Registration guarantees that I will also be able to send you information on how to listen to the recording just in case a) you weren’t available during the live call or b) you weren’t able to get in because the lines were full.

So if you need information on how to get your team (or yourself) into the best softball shape possible in just a few weeks, go register for this free call now and I’ll see you there!


Training Checklist – Be in Top Softball Shape for 2009

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Ah, yes, this is cool stuff. I’ve been focusing on getting coaches ready for the upcoming season with the bootcamp, but of course, players can do lots to get ready too!

Here’s a great article from Dan Huff at Baseball Strength:

To help you get your pre-season training set up properly, I’ve developed the following checklist(s) to make sure that you have all of the necessary components in your program.

Here is your checklist for the rest of the off-season.

  • 3 Full Body Strength workouts/week
  • 2 speed training sessions/week
  • Daily Stretching and Mobility work

It’s really that simple!

Well, maybe we need to go into a bit more detail.

3 Full Body Strength Training Workouts must include:

All Free Weight Training

Lower Body Leg Dominant Movements (Ex. Squats)

  • Double Leg
  • Single Leg

Lower Body Hip Dominant Movements (Ex. Straight Leg Deadlifts)

  • Double Leg
  • Single Leg

Upper Body Pressing Movements (always use neutral grip)

  • Chest Press
  • Shoulder Press

Upper Body Pulling Movements (2x as must as the pressing)

  • Horizontal pulling (ex. Rowing)
  • Vertical puling (ex. Pull-ups)

Core Training

  • Rotation
  • Anti-Rotation
  • Flexion
  • Extension

2 Speed Training Days must include:

Acceleration Training

  • Work on technique of the first 3 steps
  • Solid forward lean
  • Drive the knees up and forward
  • Keep the toes under the knees
  • Strong piston action on lower leg (no cycle action)

Multi-Direction Training

  • Lateral shuffles
  • Crossover running
  • Deceleration
  • Stop-and-go change of directions
  • Positive shin angles

Daily Stretching and Mobility Work must include:

Muscle Density Work

  • Foam Roll
  • Tennis Ball
  • The Stick

Static Stretching

  • Every Body Part
  • Do the easy stretches once
  • Do the difficult stretches two or three times

Active Mobility

  • Move every body part through its full range of motion

Remember that not every workout needs to include every component of strength and speed, but every component must be included at least once each week.

Not sure what all those things are? I’m sure you’ve got questions on the checklist so be sure to let us know what we can clear up for you in our discussion forum!